Du Quoin gets elegant upscale rebranding

The City of Du Quoin unveiled a new community-wide logo and slogan at Wednesday's city council meeting. With the celebratory slogan, "It's Happening Here!" reinforced by a tagline that communicates to the world that Du Quoin is the "Home of the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds." Mayor Rex Duncan comments, "This new logo is a more formal, gilded image which states the charm of our rural, small town life." This logo is the result of months of work and review of a committee that includes Doc Halladay, Robyn Laur Russell, Gary Kelly, Judy Smid, Fred Huff, Rex Duncan and the creative talents of Sharon Reynolds-Haege.

The design itself demonstrates a gold-embossed elegance that encases a tree--actually an approximation of the European hornbeam trees that now grace downtown Du Quoin--much as a mantle clock is encased and treasured. "It speaks to the simple beauty of Du Quoin as well as the value placed by its citizens on the community and a pleasant quality of life that can be celebrated that should be respected and revered," Duncan said.

The slogan "It's Happening Here!" is a broad statement of celebration of all things Du Quoin, including he Du Quoin State Fair, the events at the fairgrounds like the Holiday Lights Fair, the Street Machine Nationals and other events, as well as the simple pleasure of a July evening at a summer concert in Keyes Park. "It's Happening Here!" lends itself to placards that can be distributed around town that might read "Special Olympics Softball--It's Happening Here!"

As work continues on the logo and slogan, the intent of the final product is to be featured in all Du Quoin-related communications including the city, chamber of commerce, tourism and District 300 schools. All of those organizations have been represented throughout the creative process. Sharon Reynolds-Haege, a Du Quoin-based graphic designer, has contributed countless hours of work on the project with strong input from creator of the old "For a Change of Pace" design, Doc Holladay. Fred Huff's insistence on inclusion of the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in the design paid off handsomely.